SMALL VEHICLE ENERGIZED ON HANDHELD LAUNCHER
A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle.
This application claims priority to Application No. 60/849,987 filed on Oct. 6, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hand-held toy vehicle launcher.
2. Prior Art
There have been developed toy vehicles that can move across a surface. For example, there have been developed and sold electric powered toy cars. Electric powered toys require batteries, which must be constantly replaced by the user.
There have also been developed toy vehicles that store mechanical energy that powers the toy. These are commonly referred to as wind-up toys. For example, there was marketed a toy vehicle by Darda, that stored energy by moving the wheels of the vehicle back and forth across a surface. Movement of the wheels stored energy in a wind-up motor inside the toy. Hasbro Toys marketed a line of preschool toy vehicles under the name SPEEDSTARS that were energized at a wind-up station. The wind-up station is placed on a surface such as a floor. Mattel Toys marketed a toy vehicle under the name SIZZLERS that contained a capacitor charged electric motor. Mattel Toys also marketed a toy vehicle under the name HYPERWHEELS. The HYPERWHEELS product included a toy vehicle that was coupled to a launcher. The launcher included a hand crank that could be rotated by the user to energize the toy vehicle. The launcher had a release pedal that could be depressed to launch the toy vehicle.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform. The toy vehicle includes a mechanism that stores energy when the platform is rotated.
Disclosed is a toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle.
Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers,
As shown in
As shown in
The launcher 12 may include a pair of handle body parts, 54 and 56. Mounted to the handle body parts are a pair of platform body parts 58 and 60. The platform parts are attached to a launcher part 62. The launcher part 62 is pivotally connected to a pivot part 64 by a pivot pin 66 that allows part 62 to pivot about part 64. The pivot 64 is secured to parts 58 and 60 by pin 66.
The launcher includes a spring biased release tab assembly 68 that is coupled to a release button 70 by a connector plate 72 and release pin 74.
The launcher includes a gear pedestal 76 that is mounted to the handle parts 54 and 56. The gear pedestal 76 is coupled to an output shaft 78 by a transfer gear 80 and gear assembly 82. The launcher gear is connected to parts 58 and 60 by axle 66. The output shaft 78 is coupled to the gear assembly 52 when the toy vehicle 14 is loaded onto the launcher 12.
Rotation of the platform (parts 58, 60, 62 and 64) causes the transfer gear 80 to rotate about the gear pedestal 76. Rotation of the transfer gear 80 is transferred into rotation of the output shaft 78 through gear assembly 82. Rotation of the output shaft 78 rotates gear assembly 52 and causes the wind-up motor 50 to store energy. When the toy vehicle is released the stored energy within the wind-up motor 50 rotates the rear wheels 48 and propels the vehicle.
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As shown in
The toy vehicle may include a front wheel 134 coupled to a main body part 136 by a fork assembly 138. The toy vehicle may also have a flywheel 140 attached to a rear wheel 142 and a gear 144. The gear 144 is coupled to the gear assembly 126 when the toy vehicle is coupled to the launcher. Rotation of the platform 120 causes a corresponding rotation of the gear assembly 126. The gear assembly rotates gear 144 and flywheel 140. The vehicle flywheel 140 stores energy so that when the toy vehicle is released the flywheel 144 rotates the rear wheel 142 and propels the vehicle. By way of example, the flywheel 140 may reach 6000 revolutions per minute (“rpm”) before being launched.
Rotation of the platform 202 causes rotation of the gear assembly 222 which is transferred into the flywheel 216. When the toy vehicle is released the energy in the flywheel rotates the blade 212 to lift the vehicle from the launcher. By way of example, the flywheel 216 may reach 10,000 rpm before being launched.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A method for launching a toy vehicle, comprising:
- manipulating a hand-held launcher to rotate a toy vehicle about a handle so that the toy vehicle stores energy;
- placing the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface;
- releasing the toy vehicle from the hand-held launcher; and,
- moving the toy vehicle with the energy.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a light source from the hand-held launcher.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising emitting a sound from the hand-held launcher.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the toy vehicle is rotated in a vertical position and released in a horizontal position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 25, 2012
Inventors: Julio Sandoval (Wilmington, CA), George Foster (Placerville, CA), Ian Osborne (Gardena, CA)
Application Number: 13/533,116
International Classification: A63H 29/00 (20060101);